The Dexcom G6 is the most advanced model currently available from market-leading continuous glucose reminder (CGM) party Dexcom based in San Diego, California.

A archetypal-of-its-kind offering that brought a new organise factor to this CGM, it offers direct-to-mobile app connectivity without a penury to carry a separate receiver. As wel, the Food and Do drugs Governing body (Food and Drug Administration) determined this device is accurate sufficiency to NOT command regular fingerstick glucose tests to calibrate the scheme.

Flatbottomed if you're non personally familiar this impactful and popular diabetes gimmick, you Crataegus oxycantha ingest seen TV commercials for it, operating theatre heard almost Dexcom's Super Stadium ad in February 2021 featuring celebrity singer-actor Nick Jonas (who lives with case 1 diabetes himself and uses Dexcom's product).

If you're wondering about the Dexcom G6, you're in the right place to encounte out everything you need to know!

Low gear cleared by the FDA in March 2018, the G6 was the first-ever CGM to offer direct-to-smartphone app connectivity without requiring a segregated liquidator, although users can still opt to use one or the other. Information technology was also the first to get rid of the requirement to take up fingerstick tests to calibrate for accuracy.

Here's breakdown of what the system entails:

Transmitter. This is the thin leaden part that clicks on top of the detector casing worn on the body. It functions wish the brain of the system. The G6 transmitter is a third littler, thinner, and lower-profile than the previous model. It has a 3-month shelling life. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity, the G6 sends results every 5 minutes directly to a smartphone app, a isolated receiver, or to compatible devices within 20 feet.

No fingersticks needful. The G6 does not expect once or twice-a-day calibrations as previous versions did. That agency it has a non-connected designation from the FDA, so IT rump exist victimised in making insulin dosing and discourse decisions without a backup fingerstick mental test. What's awesome is that even though the G6 is factory-calibrated, Dexcom has built in the capability for users to still participate calibrations manually if they choose to do so (for extra confidence in truth).

Disposable auto-inserter. The G6 offered a whole new inserter plan for the first fourth dimension in many years. It's a pliant, spring-loaded complete machine-applicator that requires you to do null but press an orange button to interject a new sensing element. IT's eventide saintlike for single-handed insertions! The sensors number in boxes of three, pre-assembled into the auto-inserter, so no needles are exposed. To insert, you pull the adhesive backing, place the unit along your skin, and push the button. The disposal applicator piece will automatically separate from the sensor once it's on your physical structure.

Sensor code. Simply there's more! Each Dexcom G6 sensor has a four-number code printed happening that adhesive backing that you peel before attaching the detector to your body. You need to enter that encode into the mobile app or separate receiver device just prior to insertion, which triggers the "no calibration" functionality. Note that if this code is not scanned operating theatre entered, the detector will require the day-to-day calibrations every 12 hours, as was required with the G5 model.

10-day break up. The water-nonabsorbent G6 sensing element is said to be more accurate and reliable, and can cost worn for 10 years compared to the premature 7 years.There is now a hard-shutoff at the 10-mean solar day mark, meaning you won't exist able to extend the sensor for chronic weary, American Samoa many people did with previous versions. The FDA actually laid this call at a alphabetic character to Dexcom describing requirements for the G6. There are some Set-IT-Yourself methods to restart a sensor, but those are considered "off-label" and non endorsed by the FDA.

Young kids. The Dexcom G6 is approved for ages 2 and elderly.

Goodbye, Tylenol effect. No longer interference from medications containing acetaminophen (Tylenol), which has been an ongoing yield in the CGM world. The G6 has a limited membrane on each sensor that eliminates the body alchemy interference from these medications, which antecedently could contribute false high glucose results.

Mobile app. After a 2-time of day warmup period without whatever data, the G6 mobile app starts screening glucose results. It displays a circle with the current very-time glucose level and appropriate Old/Red/Yellow color code depending on whether you're In Range, Low or High. A little arrow points in the direction you're trending, and the graph with glucose value dots and separate inputted data like insulin/carbs/exercise is displayed below that. Want to see more the past 3 hours of CGM data? Turn your smartphone horizontally to see up to 24 hours of data and scroll back accordingly. Information can be common via the unshared Dexcom Follow app with as many arsenic 10 people, and with a doctor's billet through the Dexcom Clarity platform.

Predictive alerts. You'll get an "Urgent Low Soon" alert whenever the sensor picks up that glucose levels are falling fast and predicts you'll drop to 55 Mg/dL inside 20 minutes. This alert is required by the FDA and cannot be off off, unequal the other G6 alerts and alarms that can all be silenced.

Customizable alerts. You can set different cognizant preferences for times of day or night. In that location's a "Suffice Non Disturb" feature for audible operating room vibration alerts, though the "Snooze" feature is disabled happening primal alerts like-minded "Urgent Low" and "Detector/Transmitter Unsuccessful person."

Both iOS and Mechanical man. The G6 app kit and caboodle with some Apple and Android, but non with every mock up. Here's a list of specific compatible devices, although it's non alone clear which devices or wearables are seamlessly compatible from the get-ecstasy. Also, Dexcom says the G6 won't yet send information directly to an Apple surgery Android watch without the phone.

See this neat G6 simulator app available on some iTunes and Google Play to take the Dexcom G6 app for a test.

To view glucose data trends and send reports to your healthcare providers, you'll want to use up Dexcom CLARITY, the company's web-based software available to customers at atomic number 102 be some online and through the Dexcom G6 smartphone app.

On the G6 app, you simply deform the orientation of your smartphone to horizontal view, and you'll see a green icon with Little Jo vertical lines in the upper right corner. Clicking on that picture takes you now to the Dexcom CLARITY app.

Limpidity shows your average glucose for whatever number of different days, reports for the past 24 hours to 3 months, and comparison charts to help you see how you managed during divergent periods. For example, if you started on a new insulin ticker a month ago, you can easily view how your CGM data for the past month may differ from the weeks or months anterior.

Two other popular features of CLARITY admit:

  • Time in Range view: shows the percentage of time that your glucose levels are in low, target and altitudinous ranges. The default "in-object" graze is 70-180 mg/dL, which may not be what you set for your CGM, so you can change the Dexcom CLARITY ranges in Settings to your preferred targets.
  • Glucose Management Index number (GMI): this approximates the laboratory A1C result you might expect, based on your medium glucose from the most recent 12 years of CGM information. This isn't a correct prediction, but many use this sport to aid them get a better estimation where they stand on that leash-month average result.

You terminate also grant access to your CLARITY data to your healthcare clinic or repair's practice. You merely authorize this via the app or on the CLARITY website, which allows them to login at no cost and view your data. Notably, using the CLARITY overview report is billable to insurance, so your doctors can get reimbursed for interpretation and reviewing your CGM data, through Medicare or confidential insurers. The billing cipher (aka CPT code) is 95251.

Dexcom CGMs are covered aside a large array of snobbish insurers in the Collective States. As of fall 2020, Medicare does shroud the Dexcom G6, as well.

Of course, benefits vary by project, so you'll need to stoppage with yours. Just remember that you'll call for a prescription for the G6 transmitter as considerably as the box of sensors, then you'll have to work with a healthcare professional before buying.

Until spring 2021, Dexcom sold their systems and supplies directly via their website. But they now work with distributors like Edgepark for online ordering.

Short answer: The Dexcom G6 is a great tool for any adult Oregon child with any type of diabetes, including those who are significant or diagnosed with gestational diabetes, inclined how primal pissed glucose direction is during pregnancy.

The benefits of CGM utilise are well-certificated:

  • helps void severe high or low blood sugars, especially immediately dangerous hypoglycemic events
  • helps guide insulin dosing and safeguard users from excruciation mistakes
  • horse sense of safety and security for those World Health Organization don't feel dangerous lows coming on (hypoglycemia unawareness)
  • increased glucose "clock in range" for better diabetes control
  • lets users see and learn from the direct impingement of their food for thought and physical activeness on their body

In fact, CGM is so powerful for improving gross health outcomes that information technology's quickly becoming a consumer wellness production.

There's little doubtfulness that all people with diabetes can benefit, but recent studies show that CGMs may be especially beneficial for the groups that run to wear them the least — teens, young adults, and older adults.

When the FDA approved the G6 in 2018, the agency created a brand-unprecedented category of device that information technology refers to as "iCGM," surgery Unsegregated CGM — a system designed to connect directly with other compatible devices, such Eastern Samoa a smartphone, insulin heart, operating theater unusual wearable.

Devices that currently work the Dexcom G6 include the latest Omnipod tubeless tire insulin ticker, as recovered Eastern Samoa the tubed Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump with Basal-IQ and Contain-I.Q. closed-loop system features. Not sure whether your device is compatible with Dexcom G6? You can agree that out here.

What's exciting is that the next Dexcom G7 model will have even Thomas More advanced features, and desegregation with automated diabetes direction systems.

Settled on customer reviews from consumer sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, people are in the main satisfied with the Dexcom G6 and find that it helps them better and manage their glucose levels. The most rough-cut complaints are those relating to customer service, insurance claims, and deliveries.

Many online reviewers say the Dexcom G6 is extremely reliable and accurate, however others report determination that the transmitters do not always inalterable the full 90 days and sensors also fail earlier before the full 10 years.

As a result, a common grouse is having to spend a set of time contacting Dexcom's technical stand, either past sound, text or online, to get a replacement sensor sent to them within 3 to 5 days.

DiabetesMine's own founder and editor Amy Tenderich was an early user of the G6 exemplary, and described the truth A "astoundingly upstanding." She reported fewer lost connections in comparison to the previous CGM generation. She also noted that her sensors sometimes annoyed the pare, operating theater bare-ass polish off too soon, attributable the adhesive used.

Personally, I take found the Dexcom G6 to comprise accurate and helpful — when information technology keeps working American Samoa IT should. Frequently, my G6 sensors fail after 5 to 6 days, so I only get about half the use time I'm repayable.

A existent life-changer is the "Imperative Soft Glucose" prognosticative alert that lets me know when I'm expiration to cross the threshold of 55 mg/decilitre in the next 20 transactions. Knowing onward of time means I can take action before crashing into a perilous low-altitude.

Also, the redesigned auto-inserters make it then much easier to insert a new sensor by myself, independent. The older G4/G5 inserter was delineate away some as a "harpoon," whereas it's rare to see users protestant about ail with the G6 inserter. But for me, the larger bulkier size up of this new applicator is a bummer because I can't just toss it into my home-cured sharps containers like I could with the aged, thin sensor devices.

Some user tips that appear to represent floated most oft for the G6:

  • Arrive at sure you're hydrated, in monastic order to ensure healthier glucose data and detector reliableness.
  • Manipulation some nasal allergy atomizer on your skin and a health chec adhesive rub to prepare for insertion. This helps avoid skin irritation and keep on the detector on yearner.
  • Symmetric though you can enter fingersticks to calibrate the G6, it's not required, and entering multiple results in a short period of time of time hind end cause the CGM to get confused. Wait at least 30 minutes if it loses a signal or is trying to recalculate your glucose levels, to see if it can re-establish a opaque connection with hi-fi data.

On that point are several other CGM systems on the market that are similar to the Dexcom G6. Here are a couple of to consider:

  • Medtronic's Minimed Guardian Link up. This stand for-alone CGM sends updates, notifications, and predictions to your smartphone. The like the Dexcom, it can help stabilize glucose levels. But it is only approved for 7-day wear, and many users say the sensor is less comfortable on the body. This device is FDA-approved for people with diabetes ages 17 to 75.
  • FreeStyle Libre past Abbott. This is a "flash glucose monitor" that consists of a little white circular sensor worn on your upper limb. You have to manually CAT scan the sensor each time you want a interpretation, exploitation a handheld receiver or smartphone app. The modish Libre 2 version offers 14-day fatigu and optional alerts for low and high glucose levels. The FDA has approved this device for kids as one-year-old as 4 years old.
  • Eversense by Senseonics. This is a tiny sensor that's constituted under the skin in your upper arm. You bust a transmitter over the insertion spot on your branch, which streams glucose information incessantly to your smartphone. This requires a doctor's office visit to insert and remove each sensor, and some people observe that they incur small scars along their arm from the procedure. This long-full term option is approved for 90-day wear away in the United States and 180-day wear in Common Market. It is currently FDA-approved for the great unwashe 18 and up.

The Dexcom G6 is the modish and most popular CGM on the market from a accompany that's been developing CGM engineering science for nearly 20 years.

It offers real-time glucose data, complete with a range of alarms and customizable alerts to foretell dangerous out-of-range glucose levels, and also allows for more proactive diabetes direction.

With its comfortable-to-use var. factor, high accuracy ratings, and compatibility with different diabetes devices, the Dexcom G6 can be an excellent choice for anyone with diabetes to consider. However, it can be quite expensive as well as frustrating when the product doesn't deliver as promised.